Chief executive officer volunteer jobs

This is a senior interim role, responsible for the effective day-to-day running of the organisation, ensuring financial discipline, staff confidence and delivery against strategy.

The role includes oversight of operational delivery, people management, marketing and communications, and fundraising operations (working closely with relevant departmental leads and the Board).

• Reporting to: Chair and Board of Trustees
• Contract: Interim – initial 6-month period (with potential for extension subject to organisational needs)
• Salary: £65k full-time, part-time hours considered. 
• Location: Hybrid: London, South Coast and home working
• Start Date: As soon as possible.

Background

UKHarvest is a food waste and food education charity supporting vulnerable people experiencing food insecurity in the community, though a number of impactful and groundbreaking projects. Our mission is to reduce food waste and increase food security. Our education programmes (NOURISHed), Community Food Hubs, Grub Clubs and Community Grub Clubs are designed to overcome social barriers and food insecurity by connecting people through food.

We operate two community food hubs that deliver hot meals and community food education and engagement; Nourish Hub in London and Nourish Hub Cafe in Bognor Regis. Both spaces fulfil our mission to create warm, welcoming community spaces where people can regain their independence and confidence through the medium of food. Our projects are supported by our food rescue operation that collects quality surplus food and redistributes it through projects in the community.

Purpose of the Role

The Charity founder and CEO is retiring from her post and in this period, UKHarvest requires an interim Chief Operating Officer. This COO will provide strong, calm and effective operational leadership during a period of transition, ensuring continuity, stability and confidence across the organisation.

This is a hands-on, delivery-focused role focusing on day-to-day operational delivery, financial discipline, staff reassurance whilst maintaining confidence among funders, partners and stakeholders, while ensuring UKHarvest continues to deliver impact against its strategy.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational Leadership & Continuity

• Lead the organisation’s day-to-day operations, ensuring services are delivered safely, efficiently and in line with our agreed strategy.
• Maintain operational focus and performance during a period of leadership change.
• Ensure effective coordination across all functions, projects and locations.
• Act as a visible, accessible and reassuring leader for staff and volunteers.

2. Financial Discipline & Organisational Sustainability

• Take responsibility for robust financial management, budgeting and cashflow oversight.
• Work closely with the finance function and Board to ensure strong financial controls, reporting and compliance.
• Ensure resources are deployed efficiently and in line with charitable objectives.
• Support funder confidence through clear financial governance, delivery assurance and transparency.

3. People Leadership, Staff Reassurance & Culture

• Provide clear, confident and empathetic leadership to staff and volunteers.
• Maintain morale, clarity and stability across teams during the interim period.
• Ensure appropriate structures, line management and accountability are in place.
• Foster a values-led, inclusive and supportive organisational culture.

4. Functional Oversight & Line Management

• Hold overall responsibility for core operational and enabling functions, including:
  • Operations, logistics and programmes
  • Education
  • Finance and administration
  • People and volunteer management
  • Marketing, communications engagement and PR
• Provide clear direction and support to functional leads and teams, recognising direct accountability for these areas.
• Ensure external communications, reputation management, media engagement and events activity are well managed, coordinated and aligned with organisational priorities.

5. External Relationships & Stakeholder Confidence

• Act as a senior operational point of contact for funders, partners and key stakeholders.
• Support confidence among funders and partners through consistent delivery and professional operational management.
• Represent UKHarvest at appropriate external meetings, events and forums.

6. Governance & Board Support

• Work closely with the Chair and Board, providing timely, accurate and relevant operational information.
• Support effective governance through clear reporting, risk management and delivery against agreed priorities.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory, safeguarding and health & safety requirements.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Proven senior operational leadership experience, ideally at COO, Director or equivalent level. (10 years)
• Experience within the charity, not-for-profit, food, logistics or community sector or demonstrably transferable commercial experience.
• Strong experience of financial management, budgeting and operational controls.
• Demonstrated ability to lead generously and reassure teams during periods of change.
• Excellent communication skills, judgement and emotional intelligence.
• A belief in social justice, environmental sustainability and reduction of food waste. 
• Comfortable operating in a hands-on, delivery-focused interim role.

Desirable Experience

• Experience overseeing marketing, communications, media relations and events management.
• Experience working with a diverse range of functions, funders, partners and volunteers.
• Previous interim leadership

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter to UKHarvest.

Position Closing: Sunday 22nd February 12 noon

Inital interview Tuesday 24th February - final interviews Friday 27th February

You don’t have to know about Down syndrome. You can learn about Down syndrome, but we need you to know how to nurture the heart of an organisation and its people.

Please see our video on our website for further details from our Chair, James Davis (go to 'meet the team', and 'current vacancies'.

Freelance/self-employed contract for 3 – 4 days per week

Lead the 17-year-old charity into a brighter future

The role demands quality skills and experience in management, governance, building teams and communities, fundraising and finance – in person and online.

Can you simultaneously be creative, a problem solver, ideas person, developmental, positive leader, supporter, confidante, prudent and adventurous?

We are very keen to hear from you. Please send your CV and a 5 min video explaining who you are, why you suit the role and why you want to join us as CEO by Saturday 28 February 2026.

The Stag operates through a low-risk hall-hire business model. It is not allowed to promote its own shows – it provides the professional facilities for others to hire space and put on shows.

Reporting to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the CEO leads a small, professional and dedicated team (currently 20 employees (17.8 FTE)) boosted with part-time casuals in the box office plus a team of volunteers at events. The CEO will ensure the charity fulfils its mission and achieves its charitable objectives whilst maintaining the strong financial sustainability it now enjoys.

The role requires the CEO to a be a BIIAB personal licence holder and to act as Designated Premises Supervisor as well as being the Company Secretary. More details from The Stag's website.

The International Prader-Willi Syndrome Organisation (IPWSO) is seeking a talented and motivated CEO who will deliver our organisational strategy which aims to improve the lives of all those affected by a rare genetically determined disorder called Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). 

The role of CEO at IPWSO is both challenging and rewarding. You can help deliver change for people affected by PWS from across the globe by helping us build solidarity, promoting scientific reasoning and research, helping to foster new relationships, supporting our members, and striving for equality for everyone affected by the syndrome.

You will work alongside passionate volunteers and experts in PWS from across all continents and with a skilled and small staff team based in the UK. We are all dedicated to making a tangible difference!

For the full person specification and the JD, please refer to the attachment below.

#CEO #Chief Executive #Chief Executive Officer 

At Croydon Community Energy, we bring community-owned renewable energy to Croydon - developing solar PV on community buildings and reinvesting the benefits locally to cut carbon and support communities.

Want to help turn rooftops into local power?

The role and its impact

This is a part-time CEO role providing hands-on leadership so CCE can deliver projects well, support volunteers, and build strong partnerships. Working with the Board, you will help move projects from early-stage development through to installation and reporting.

Key details

• Salary: £45,000 FTE pro rata (2 days/week = £18,000 per year)

• Hours: 2 days per week (flexible working pattern by agreement - evenings and weekends may be required)

• Contract: Fixed term for 12 months (with ambition to extend subject to funding)

• Location: Hybrid/home-based with regular presence in Croydon and occasional London travel

• Start date: 1 April 2026 (flexible)

• Reporting to: Chair of the Board (accountable to the Board of Directors)

• Contract basis: Self-employed contractor. You will manage your own tax and National Insurance and invoice CCE monthly.

What you'll be working on

• Deliver CCE's strategy and Board priorities, turning plans into clear actions, timelines and decisions.

• Coordinate the solar project pipeline with the Projects Director and delivery partners (from feasibility to commissioning and post-install monitoring).

• Oversee budgets, cashflow tracking and financial reporting with the Finance Director; keep risks visible and managed.

• Develop and deliver fundraising plans (grants, sponsorship, partnerships and, where relevant, community share offers).

• Enable good governance: board papers and updates, decisions logs, AGMs and member communications where relevant.

• Support and coordinate volunteers, fostering an inclusive, motivated culture and making it easy for people to contribute.

• Build relationships with key local stakeholders and represent CCE externally when needed.

This job is for you if...

• you are motivated by community energy, climate action and community benefit

• you can set direction, organise delivery and bring people with you (in paid or unpaid roles)

• you are confident planning and delivering projects, prioritising well and managing risks

• you can build trust with stakeholders across communities, funders, delivery partners and local government

• you are financially literate and comfortable with budgets and responsible spending decisions

• you can support good governance and work well with a Board or committee

• you communicate clearly, stay organised, and can work independently in a small organisation

It helps if you have...

• renewable energy and/or community solar project development experience

• fundraising, grant management and/or community share offer experience

• experience in co-operatives, social enterprises, charities, or volunteer-led organisations

• knowledge of Croydon and its communities, or experience working in a diverse urban borough

• experience in policy, advocacy or sector collaboration

If you do not meet every point, please still consider applying - we care about potential and values as well as experience.

Equal opportunities and accessibility

CCE is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from groups under-represented in the community energy sector.

If you are disabled (as defined under the Equality Act 2010) and meet the minimum criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. Please tell us what reasonable adjustments would help you take part. Information can be provided in alternative formats on request.

Funding for this role

CCE has been awarded £20,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund to deliver this role. The incoming CEO will help secure further funding to increase days worked and extend the role.

How to apply

Apply via CharityJob with:

• Your CV

• A cover letter (max 2 pages) explaining how you meet the essential criteria and why you want the role

• Closing date: Friday 27 February 2026 at 5pm

• Shortlisting: w/c 2 March 2026

• Interviews: w/c 9 March 2026 (online / in person in Croydon)

• Task: Shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a short task in advance (questions shared ahead of time)

• Second stage (if required): w/c 16 March 2026

Data protection: We handle applicant data confidentially and retain it only as long as necessary.

· SPACE was founded in 2014 by parents of children with additional needs in response to the lack of appropriate play resources and support locally.

·        Our centre includes a large fully accessible play frame and soft play area, interactive sensory room, a versatile activity room and a changing space.

· Our services include family play sessions, parent / carer support and training, sibling group, lending library, counselling, after school activity clubs and birthday parties.

· Our mission is to relieve isolation experienced by children with additional needs and their families by providing fully accessible support and facilities. Our centre, members, volunteers and colleagues provide the momentum that helps us affect change.

We’re now looking for our new Chief Executive Officer who will help lead us on our continued journey…

About You:

· Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children with additional needs and their families?

· Can you combine strategic leadership with a practical hands‑on approach?

· Do you have significant experience within a charity, public sector, or values driven organisation?

· Do you have a strong understanding of charity governance, assurance and risk?

· Are you a strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into clear plans and measurable outcomes

· Do you have strong leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to bring people with you through change

· Can you demonstrate a clear commitment to SPACE’s values, ethos, and social purpose

If you think you’ve got what we are looking for, we’d love to hear from you.

Harris Hill is delighted to be working with Camphill Devon to recruit its new Chief Executive Officer.

Camphill Devon is a long-established charity providing supported living, residential care and meaningful community for adults with learning disabilities. Set within a unique rural environment featuring multiple residential houses and a 100-acre working farm, Camphill Devon offers a blend of care, independence, therapeutic activity and community living.

The charity provides a vibrant and wholesome environment where people can enjoy the freedom of their rural surroundings, access craft, land and community activities, and play a part in the running of where they live. We are committed to providing the necessary support and facilities through which everyone can choose to live their life, their way.

As Chief Executive, you will:

• Provide strategic, operational and cultural leadership for Camphill Devon, ensuring high-quality, person-centred care, strong governance, financial sustainability and organisational resilience.
• Drive forward organisational improvement, prepare for regulatory scrutiny, and embed a culture of empowerment and accountability across the charity.

If you are inspired and excited by what Camphill Devon does, we’d love to hear from you.

Job title: Chief Executive Officer

Salary: circa £80,000 p.a.

Contract: Permanent / Full-time

Location: Hapstead Village, Camphill Devon Community, Buckfastleigh, Devon, TQ11 0JN

How to apply:

Please review the Recruitment Pack for further information about Camphill Devon, the CEO position and for details on how to apply.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Friday 13th February 2026

Both Camphill Devon and Harris Hill operate an equal opportunity policy and commit to treating all of our candidates and jobseekers fairly. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

Harris Hill is delighted to be working with Citizens Advice Westminster to recruit its new Chief Executive Officer.

Citizens Advice Westminster provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice and information to local residents, some of whom are the most vulnerable in society. We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination.

We work with local community organisations to make a difference to the lives of people in Westminster through advice, research and campaigning. Citizens Advice Westminster delivers a high quality, agile advice service which reflects the issues and needs of our communities, and which puts clients first.

As Chief Executive, you will:

•Lead and manage the work of Citizens Advice Westminster in its mission to improve the lives of residents through delivery of a comprehensive information, advice, and casework service across the City of Westminster.

•Collaborate with the Board of Trustees to shape the organisation’s strategy, direction, and policies.

•Provide a strong and influential voice for Citizens Advice Westminster as the ‘public face’ of the organisation.

If you are inspired and excited by what Citizens Advice Westminster does, we’d love to hear from you.

Job title: Chief Executive Officer

Salary: £67,991 p.a. (The salary is on a progressive pathway)

Contract: Permanent / Full-time

Location: The Stowe Centre, 258 Harrow Road, London W2 5ES

How to apply:

Please review the Recruitment Pack for further information about Citizens Advice Westminster, the CEO position and for details on how to apply.

Closing date for applications: 9am Friday 20th February 2026

Both Citizens Advice Westminster and Harris Hill operate an equal opportunity policy and commit to treating all of our candidates and jobseekers fairly. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

We are seeking an outstanding and empathetic leader to become the Chief Executive Officer of East Sussex Community Voice (ESCV), working with our directors, staff, and volunteers to further develop our organisation and make a real difference for people across East Sussex.

As an ambitious Community Interest Company (CIC), we seek someone with strong leadership qualities who can ensure ESCV continues to be an effective and independent agent of local change, whilst diversifying and evolving our business.

Since 2013, ESCV has enabled people in East Sussex to have their voices heard in the design, commissioning, and delivery of services by putting communities at the centre of everything we do. Our work includes delivering an award-winning Healthwatch, leading large-scale public engagement and community development projects, and hosting the East Sussex Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise (VCSE) Sector Alliance.

With imminent changes to Healthwatch and national legislation, we are entering a period of transformation. We are looking for an experienced and inspiring leader who can guide our team through this change, someone who empowers others, builds confidence, and sustains a positive, collaborative culture.

You will be a strategic thinker and relationship builder at a senior level, with a track record of delivering strategies, operational plans, and projects that achieve tangible outcomes. You will also bring excellent interpersonal skills, experience in leading high-performing teams, and the ability to manage staff effectively.

In addition, you will have experience managing and developing high-level relationships with key decision makers and demonstrate extensive knowledge of public engagement, the health and social care landscape, company governance, business development and income generation, and financial control.

If you share our passion for empowering communities and want to lead a dedicated team making a real difference across East Sussex, we would be delighted to receive your application.

“East Sussex Community Voice is an Equal Opportunities and Diversity employer and welcomes candidates from all sections of the community.

How to apply:

For further details about this exciting opportunity and an application pack please visit our website and download the Job Description/Person Specification for this post and follow the instructions posted.

Applications require a CV and a personal statement (maximum of 500 words) and only applications with both will be reviewed.

Please upload these via the ESCV job application link provided for the post you are applying for.

If you require an application in another format, please do get in contact

The opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and values-led Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead East London Waterworks Park in this next phase of our development. This is a rare opportunity to shape the first paid executive leadership role in a pioneering environmental charity.

The CEO role is wide-ranging and dynamic, and will evolve as East London Waterworks Park grows. The CEO will provide strategic leadership to help realise our ambition to purchase the Thames Water depot site in East London, while strengthening our capacity to deliver community-led rewilding and nature-recovery projects across London in partnership with landowners, local authorities and other stakeholders.

An important aspect of the role will involve introducing a sustainable staffing model that complements and develops East London Waterworks Park’s existing volunteer ecosystem, and strengthens our culture, vision and values. The CEO will be supported in this work by long-standing volunteers at both trustee board and operational level, who believe in the benefits this organisational change will bring.

About East London Waterworks Park

East London Waterworks Park is a community-led charity working to reconnect people and nature. Starting from nature-first principles, and with inclusivity at the heart of everything we do, we work with communities to co-design spaces to unlock a chain of positive changes that culminate in the long-term transformation of people and place.

Our work includes:

• co-designing East London Waterworks Park with the East London community, working towards purchasing a 14-acre Thames Water depot in Waltham Forest and transforming it into a biodiverse urban park with free, accessible wild swimming and welcoming community spaces

• co-designing other nature-first spaces on disused or brownfield land in London, returning land to nature in collaboration with local communities to encourage long–term community stewardship

• hosting engagement, education, and empowerment activities that build skills, confidence and deeper connections to nature.

East London Waterworks Park is a sociocratic organisation, with a decentralised organisational structure and a transparent and collaborative approach to decision making. We have grown organically since 2019, responding flexibly to the challenges we have encountered but always committed to our core vision: creating a new kind of urban green and blue space: one that is ecologically rich, inclusive, and shaped by the people and wildlife who use it.

East London Waterworks Park is currently entirely run by volunteers but we recognise the need to transition to a more sustainable structure. We want to introduce paid employees to ensure we can deliver the exciting projects planned in 2026 and beyond, while retaining our strong community-led ethos.

More information

If this sounds exciting, please review the attached recruitment package.

Harris Hill is delighted to be working with Liverpool Zoe’s Place (LZP) to recruit its first Chief Executive Officer.

Zoe's Place was founded in Liverpool in 1995 as the first hospice in the UK specifically providing for the needs of babies and younger children. Liverpool Zoe’s Place (LZP) was established in December 2024 and took over full responsibility for the management of the hospice on May 1st 2025. In late 2024 the people of Liverpool, the North West, and even further afield helped us to raise more than £7,000,000 to secure the future of our hospice, and to build a state-of-the-art new facility in West Derby.

Our team of specialist nurses and healthcare assistants are supported by a wide range of other healthcare professionals to provide respite care, therapies and bereavement care to babies and children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families.

As Chief Executive, you will:

· Bring inspirational leadership to the LZP.

· Manage, plan and implement LZP’s strategy.

· Ensure the Hospice provides and promotes excellent clinical care.

If you are inspired and excited by what Liverpool Zoe’s Place does, we’d love to hear from you.

Job title: Chief Executive Officer

Salary: £75,000 - £80,000 p.a.

Contract: Permanent / Full-time

Location: Zoe's Place, Yew Tree Lane, West Derby, Liverpool, L12 9HH

How to apply:

Please review the Recruitment Pack for further information about Liverpool Zoe’s Place, the CEO position and for details on how to apply.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Friday 13th February 2026

Both Liverpool Zoe’s Place and Harris Hill operate an equal opportunity policy and commit to treating all of our candidates and jobseekers fairly. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

The CEO will play a pivotal leadership role in ensuring the continued success and sustainability of Clwyd Special Riding Centre. This is a wide-ranging role combining strategic leadership with hands-on people management.

The postholder will oversee the daily running of the Centre while also working closely with Trustees to deliver long-term development plans. The role demands strong financial and organisational management, excellent people skills, and the ability to balance compassion with pragmatism.

The CEO will act as a key ambassador for the Centre, building relationships with supporters, stakeholders, and the wider community to secure funding and grow the charity’s impact.  The CEO will create the strategic plans for the next 5 years and work with the Trustees, Stakeholders and Staff to implement the plan.

This is an exciting opportunity to transition the organisation into a sustainable, self-funded and agile organisation able to meet the needs of their traditional participant and those members of the community who could benefit from equine activities.

Harris Hill is delighted to be working with Building Inclusive Assistance (BIA) to recruit its new Chief Executive Officer.

BIA is a newly established and soon-to-be registered mental health charity created to commemorate Sabihah’s mental health journey. Our purpose is to provide a safe, discreet, and culturally sensitive space for young Muslim females to openly discuss and receive support for their mental health.

We exist to address a critical gap in services by offering first-line mental health intervention for Muslim females aged 18–25, while educating families and communities to challenge stigma and promote understanding. Initially focused on the North West of England, BIA has strong ambitions to grow its reach and impact nationally.

We are seeking an inspirational and visionary Chief Executive Officer to lead BIA at a pivotal stage of its development. As BIA’s first CEO, you will work closely with the founding Trustees to turn a powerful vision into a sustainable, high-impact charity.

As Chief Executive, you will:

· Develop and implement BIA’s long-term strategy, ensuring alignment with its mission, values, and growth ambitions.

· Establish BIA as a credible, trusted, and impactful mental health charity.

· Recruit, lead, and inspire a team of staff and volunteers.

· Have a demonstrable commitment to the charity’s Islamic ethos and values.

Job Title: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Salary: £60,000 – £70,000 per annum

Location: Manchester / North West (Hybrid – 3 days office, 2 days home)

Contract: Full-time

How to apply:

If you would like to receive more information about the position and how to apply, please send a CV in confidence to Nick Shanks via the apply button.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Friday 27th February 2026.

BIA is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. However, this CEO post is restricted to women applicants due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Age UK Islington is changing the way we age, with a mission to help people to achieve a 'good life'. We do this by providing tailored support to people in the borough of Islington. As an independent local charity, we work at the heart of the community to ensure those people over 60, those under 60 with long term health needs and family carers are given proactive and bespoke support, dependent on their circumstances. 

Age UK Islington is in a position of strength, both financially and in terms of its role within the local community. We are financially stable, technology-driven and produce data that provides key insights into our population. We are pleased to have strong relationships with the local borough and ICB, resulting in mutually beneficial contracts that support residents to address their problems before they become a crisis. 

However with upcoming funding challenges for our NHS and local authority partners, we are looking ahead to maximise the strategic opportunities open to us that enable us to continue to deliver our high-quality and much needed services.

Age UK Islington 

Chief Executive Officer  

Islington, London/Hybrid working: with office working at least three days per week.

Circa £75,000 per annum  

We are looking for a CEO to lead our team of 40 staff and 75 volunteers and continue the development of Age UK Islington to reach a new level of impact. Working with the Board, the CEO will strategically review the current landscape and new opportunities to best support our clients.

Our new CEO will: 

• Develop a multi-year vision for the charity, and a strategy to deliver that vision. 

• Maximise Age UK Islington’s impact by reviewing new business opportunities, developing our services and products and maximising our reach and impact. 

• Lead the organisation externally with key stakeholders, including local government, the NHS and donors. 

• Lead and inspire our dedicated and passionate staff and volunteers. 

In order to continue to provide proactive, supportive services we seek an individual with sound strategic experience and a creative approach, who brings:  

• A proven track record of achieving innovation and maximising opportunities, ideally within the health and social care sector. 

• Solid experience of building strong relationships with a breadth of stakeholders, including trustees, staff, funders and partners. 

• Experience of developing income. 

• Experience of leading, managing and inspiring teams in a collaborative working environment. 

• A passion for helping people achieve a 'good life' in the best way for them. 

Age UK Islington is committed to achieve greater diversity in its executive team and welcome applications regardless of sex, gender, race, age, sexuality, belief or disability. 

For further information, to access the full appointment brief and to apply to this role, please visit the Prospectus website. 

To arrange a discussion about the opportunity, please contact our retained advisors Anna Gardet or Erica Ritchie at Prospectus.

Recruitment Timetable  

Deadline for applications: Wednesday 4th March 2026 

Interviews with Prospectus:  10th-13th March 2026 

Engagement meeting with AUKI’s internal stakeholders and Panel Interviews: 20th March 2026